Pressure-regulator.



T. A. HAMMOND.

PRESSURE REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED oct. 10, 1912.

1 ,296,657. Patented Mar. 11,1919.

THEODORE A. HAMMOND,

OFPASSAIC, NEW WILLIAM P. HAMMOND, OF PASSAIC,

JEEsEY, s'sIeNoa or ONE-HALF 'ro NEW JERSEY. i

PRESSURE-REGULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919..

Application illed October 10, 1912. Serial No. 724,984.

lTo all whom' t may concern:

tomobiles, but which is also adaptable for well as subjects use in connection with any fluid-pressure vreceiving and containing apparatus by which the exact pressure within the tire or other apparatus may be regulated, and which, as in the case of pneumatic tires, may be a permanent attachment; further to provide an absolutely effective device of this description .which will be simple in construe-mon and 1neXpensive in the cost of manufacture.

It has come to be a well recognized fact that the pneumatic tires used on automobiles should be inflated to definite pounds pressure per square inch; the degreeof pressure being determined by and commensurate with the size of the tire and the weight of the vehicle to be sustained thereby. Each tire, therefore, of a given' size, should be inflated to its proper degree of pressure in order that the tire should not be subjected to unnecessary wearing o r a possible destruction by `reason of over or under inflation. Over-rnflation stretches the tire fabric and unnecessarily destroys the very resiliency which a pneumatic tire is designed to give in order to afford smooth and,` comfortable riding, as

the vehicle and its mechanism to unnecessary shocks and jolts when passing over obstructions or inequalities in the road bed. Under-inflation is equally destructive, and in fact it has been said that deterioration is from three to five times more rapid in the latter case than in the former, as under-inflation causes the arch or .walls of the fabric to break down, rim cut and often the total destruction of the tire takes place.

Heretofore, it has been customary to measure the amount of pressure Within the tire by the use of separate and detachable pressure gages which are applied to the valve casing either before, during or after the inflation process. These gages, as generally made, are constructed so as to indicate varying pressures,` in order that they might be used in connection with tires of different sizes which are inflated to different and various degrees of pressure. The objection to the use of these gages is that in order to secure proper inflation, know and subsequently remember thc exact degree of pressure which both the front. and rear tires of the automobile must be inflated to and it being a separate and detachable instrument, it is very apt to either get lost oi' misplaced. A further objection may be mentioned; that is, through carelessness or hurry, there is a possibility of the gage not being made use of at all, the owner being vcontent to trust his judgment by kicking or feeling of the tire.

l My invention obviates all of these difiicultiesv and objections,

and consists in incorporating a pressure-regulator in and as a part of the ordinary inflation'mechanisni of the tire as now used, so that each valve inflating mechanism will be provided with a regulator that will operate upon the attainment of the definite' predetermined pressure required within the tire to which it is att-ached, to prevent excess of fluid pressure therein.

To the accomplishment of these objects,

a user must first as Well as others .which will manifest themselves upon the reading of the following specification, I will proceed to describe one referable embodiment of the invention i which has been illustrated in the annexed drawings.

Referring to the' drawings. Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of this cmbodiment of my invention especially adapted for use in connection with a pneumatic tire, showing the pressure regulator valve in initial or open position.

Fig. -2- is a similar view showing the pressure regulator valve in final or closed position, and also illustratesa form of blowoff attachment. l

Fig. -3- is avbottom plan View of the perforated support forl rod.

While I have the form particularly adaptable to pneumatic tires, and which I desire to cover by my patent in additionto its broad or generalv features, those features of my device that the regulator valve developed my invention in j are of special importance in relation to pneuthe tire,

vslotted at -148- matic tires, I illustrate in the drawings, and shall describe such an embodiment of my invention with the distinct understanding that I do not hereby restrict myself in the embodiment of the broad features thereof to its use in connection .with pneumatic tires or any Huid pressure containing or receiving apparatus. f In developing my invention for and adapting it to a pneumatic tire, I use it in connection withv or make it a part of the valve mechanism through which air is injected into the tire, and therein retained, and I retain the cylindrical stem or casing -1- commonly used with valves of automobile tires, the same being provided with two flat sides which engage similar fiat surfaces of the rim through-which it projects to prevent any 'rotary mov elg3n1;l thereof.

The 'valve casing ment or foot -2- that engages the interior wall of the tire and .together with the nut -3 and plate fon the outside of the tire constitutes a clamp for the attachment of the mechanism to the tube. I also retain the usual cover or cap -5- as well as the usual air check valve mechanism -6-; the valve mechanism -6- as shown being of well known construction, and consisting of a valve head -f7.- which is yieldingly'held to a valve seat -8- by a coil spring -9-, and which has a stem -10- that protrudes beyond the outer end of the valve casing, so that pressure upon the protruding end of thestem will cause the valve -Jfto be moved from its seat to permit the discharge of air from within the tire. Valve .8` is normally closed to prevent egress of air from within but yields inwardly to permit the ingress of air thereto in the well known manner.

The valve mechanism just described is movably mounted in the casing -1, the mounting being within and at one end of a tube -11- which extends through the casing into the tire and Which'serves as an induct for the Huid to the interior of the tire. The end of the tube -11- at which the l nally threaded, the valve mechanism being screwed therein, and removable therefrom when required to permit of the insertion of a new valve mechanism. rIyhis end is also externally threaded and upon the external threads is screwed a sleeve .-11-, upon which the cap --5- is screwed. The lower extremity of the sleeve -llahas a sliding contact with a col-lar -14-, which is in screw threaded engagement with the outer casing -1. The collar `M is to receive a pin 14"- mounted in and carried by the sleeve -11a-, both slot and pin serving the purpose of ,preventing any rotary movement of -1- has an enlargemechanism is mounted, is interthe tube -11- so as to prevent the transconnection with the diaphragm.

A collar l2-is mounted or keyed to the tube +11-l by means of suitable screws -l2a-, serving to support onev end of the spring '-13-. The other end -of the spring -13- abuts the collar --lllk and as will be apparent, the spring opposes the outward. longitudinal movement of the interior tube 1'1-.

Mounted upon the `foot -2- and suitably fastened thereto is a valve rod support l5- provided with Upon this support and projecting through the bore of the interior tube -11- is a valve rod 17- thereon a valve head -18- heretofore described, which has a leather bushing or disk embedded in a metal frame. so as to form a hermetical seal at the point of its contact with the valve seat. A lspring *19- an'd a washer -20 are interposed between the valves -7 and 18.- and serve as a support` for the valve -7- to 'keep it normally in closed position. -21-l indicates a valve seat similar to thevalve seat -8- heretofore described. -This valve seat is provided within and preferably is madev a part of the inductv tube -11,-, and cooperates with the valve -18- in the manner hereafter described. Extending across and in peripheral engagement with the foot 2- and fastened to the tube -11-,1 provide adiaphragm 2Q-f, which maybe, and preferably is made of thin metal. The peripheral edge of the diaphragm is turned and clamped over the edge of the foot 2- between it and the valve rod support-l-k as shown. In order to form a hermetical seal the connection between the diaphra -15- and the foot -.2- is soldered at -15--.

It will be clear from the description thusthat might be. ap,

far that any pressure plied to the diaphragm -22- willv tend to move the inner tube -11- to the tension of the spring -13-, and thus force the seat 2ltoward the valve -418-. Assuming by way lof example, that the spring -13- is gaged or calibered to a certain amount of movement under al pressure of 80 pounds (such move- 'ment being equal to the distance between the valve seat 21- and the valve -18'-), it will be manifest that j sure of v8O pounds is exerted upon the diaphragm -22- from within the tire, the diaphragm will give and move the tube -11- longitudinally outward until the valve seat -21- engagesA or abuts the valve 18-'. Now supposing that the tire is being inflated by means of a pump or other source of supply, connections with which-is made by 'ai hose or pipe screwing having rigidly mounted` 1n opposition mission of any strain to the 'point of its perforations -16-.

as soon vas a presof the user during -5- serves to lock the regulator on or slipping over the sleeve -11-, the entering fluid will unseat the valve 7 andenter the t-ire through tube -11-. As the pressure builds up and approaches the desired degree within the tire, the valve seat -21 moving longitudinally outward by reason of the pressure on the diaphragm -22- approaches the valve -18- and by the time the predetermined pressure is eveloped within the tire the valve -18- and seat -9-1- will have engaged one another and closed the communication through the tube -11- (see Fig. 2). As soon as the valve -18- is closed, the pressure will back up inl the pump (when one is used) and render it inoperative and thus a user is notified that the tire has received its proper inflation.

Thus, it is seen that by vthe'use of my invention, it is utterly impossible to overinlate a tire which may be equipped with it. At the same time, the user will always knowv that so long as he is able to operate his pump, there is insuflicient pressure within the tiie and that it is necessary for him to proceed with the inflation until it becomes impossible to move or operate the pump. n

Through the use of my invention, a tire manufacturer is enabled to exercise a control over the use which tiresof his manufacture may be subjected to, and the common abuse of tires due to improper inflation will be greatly minimized if not entirely eliminated, as it will not remain for the user to exercise the discretion or judgment heretofore required as an important guide and check is hereby placed upon the future acts tire inflation.

The cap valve l8 in closed position, as will be presently understood. It will be noted that when the valve seat -21- is approaching the valve -18- the valve mechanism is moving outward by reason of its mounting within the tube -11. Now, when the orot-her supply connection 1s removed, the cap -5- is screwed upon the sleeve 11auntil it abuts the end of the casing --'1-, in which position it firmly locks and holds the regulating valve -18- to its seat, and no matter what depreciation of pressure within the tire that may take place through leakage in the tire tube, none of the pressure will be permitted to escape through the .valve mechanism by reason of the same be- Y. ing firmly held to its seat through the mechanical action of this cap -5- as described. Irrespective of the use of this feature in this described embodiment. the mechanical operation of this valve may be employed as such in connection with tire valves as heretofore 4 used, 'eliminating the automatic feature of interrupting the communication through the tube 11 by the pressure from within the tire; that is to say, a suflicient-ly strong spring or diaphragm may be used that will insure an open positionl of the valve -18- under any amount of pressure that ordinarily will be injected into the tire. This would permit the use of a separate gage to measure the amount of pressure within the tire at any time. When the tire has had its proper amount of inflation, the cap -5 when screwed on will raise the valve yseat -21- mechanically and by engagement with the valve 18-- close the induct or port through the tube -'-11,

and thereby prohibit the fluid from escaping' This feature is emphasized for the reason that it effectively prevents any leakage through the small tire valve -6- which heretofore has been a very common experience as it has 4been almost-impossible to effectively seal by means of` the rubber bushings used, the. points of contact between the valve parts themselves and the casing in which they are mounted. As a secondary precaution, to prevent such leakage, the cap -5- as heretofore used,` has been provided with a rubber cup shaped disk or washer, which when the cap is applied to the casing, is forced down against the casing rim to therebetween. No rubber is cap -5-, as I employ it.

lVhen the Source of fluid pressed air tank, I simply use the attachment A to notify, by the sound of the escaping fluid when the valve -18- has closed sufficiently to prevent the further passage of fluid into the tire.

This blow-0E attachment acts also as a safety valve, and prevents the rubber hose or tubing leading from the source of supply to the valve from bursting through over internal pressure.

The attachment A consists of a casing -23- having a curved or conically formed base -24-. Within the base -24 is provided a rubber cup shaped gasket or washer -25- which is retained and held in place within the base by means of a screwthreaded collar -26-, which screws on a threaded flange of the base. A'tube -28- leads to the casing -23-, andv movably mountedwithin the said .tube -28- is a valve mechanism -27- identical in construction with the valve mechanism -6- heretofore described. The end of the tube --28- is provided with an annular projecting ridge -29- constituting a valve, the same being adaptable normally to engage against a rubber seat -30- i plate -30-- fast to the casing -23--. A spring -31- interposed between a collar -32- and the valve --29 tends to normally seat the valve. Projecting from the lower end of the casing 23is a hollow therethrough.

supply is a comblow-off mounted in iisv ` pin or tube -33- which is provided With side openings -34 The pin 33- projects loW enough to engage the valve stem of the valve mechanism -6 When the device is slipped over the tire valve, and 11nseats the valve -7 to permit the back pressure of Huid from the tire to be exerted against the valve 29,- to unseat it when the pressure becomes high enough to overcome the tension of the spring --31-.l The fluidthen escapes through a portl 35- provided in thelcasing -23 dor the purpose of notifying the use r that the valve -18 is closed. It Will be understood' that the spring -31` is of greater tension than the spring #-13- -of the tire valve, and requires a reater -pressure to compress it in order that 1t Will not permit the valve -29- to unseat until the valve -18- is closed and the required pressure is obtained Within the tire.

The attachment A may conveniently be permanently attached to and made a part of the tube of the' inflating apparatus and slipped over the tire valve when tion of the tire is required.

Having'thus described the invention, What I claim' as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isz- 1. The combination of a fluid pressure container, an inflation tube for the container, an induct tube movably mounted within the inflation tube, a diaphragm carrying the induct tube and exposed to the action ofthe pressure Within the container, a Valve and a valve seat Within the induct tube, one. of the valve members-being carried by the induct tube, and means for mounting' the opposite valve member independently of the induct tube, the movement ofthe diaphragm the infiaand induct tube operating to automatically v.

upon the induct tube, means for mounting the opposite-valve member independently of the induct tube, the movement of the diaphragm and induct tube operating to close the valve when the pressure Within the container reaches a predetermined point, and I. means for lockingl the induct tube to hold p the valve Ain a closed position.

3. The combination of a fluid pressure container, an inflation tube for the container, an induct tube slidably mounted Within the inflation tube, a diaphragm carrying the induct tube and exposed to the action of the pressure Within the container, a valve and valve seat Within the induct tube, one of the valve members being carried by the in` v duct tube, means for mounting the opposite valve member independently of the induct tube, the movement of the diaphragm and induct tube serving to close the valve When the pressure within the container reaches a vpredetermined point, and a cap adapted to be applied to the induct tube and the inflation'tube to closed position.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

THEODORE A. HAMMOND. Witnesses: v

CHAs. LYON4 RUSSELL, W. P. HAMMOND.

to engage khold the valve in a 

